Dr. Marija Demšar Smokvina

marija smokvina

May 3, 1932 ~ January 25, 2025


Resided in: McLean, Virginia

Dr. Marija Demšar Smokvina, known to her friends as Majda, was born May 3, 1932 in
Kranj, Slovenia. She was raised by her father, Dragutin, a dentist, and her stepmother. Her
biological mother, Bertha Sabor, passed away when Majda was six years old.

Majda completed her medical studies in Slovenia and Croatia. Majda and her then-
husband, Drago, came to the United States in 1967. They both completed residencies, Majda in
physiatry and Drago in orthopedics, in New York City.
As a board-certified physiatrist, Majda spent most of her professional life in private
practice in McLean, Virginia, helping patients with rehabilitation, pain management, and other
issues.

Majda loved life, visiting museums, listening to opera, going to concerts at the Kennedy
Center, and socializing with friends. Her passion was sailing and many weekends while still
working she could be found on her sailboat Lepa, moored in Galesville, MD. She loved nothing
more than sailing with her friends in the Chesapeake Bay.

Majda also enjoyed feeding birds from her kitchen window in McLean, tending to the
flowers in her garden, and playing with her cat. She traveled extensively, was well read, and was
knowledgeable about many topics. Her large circle of friends derived pleasure from her
company and visiting many different restaurants together.

Majda died January 25, 2025 of natural causes. She will be missed by her friends and all
those whose life she touched in different ways.

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I will miss Mayda. She was a remarkable person. I knew her from days of sailing. She inspired me to purchase my own sailboat. Generous and smart – she enjoyed life.

  2. Majda was the one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. I met her in her later years and she was always so sharp, witty, funny, and kind. We bonded over a mutual love of animals and adventure. I adored Majda’s kind spirit and childlike nature. I will miss her deeply.

  3. The Majda I knew was a live wire. Even in her later years, she had strong opinions on many subjects. A joy to sdiscuss things with her to see her perspective. In earlier times, she was an excellent sailor and I got a chance to hang a bit with her on Chesapeake Bay, at least after the anchor dropped. I loved/love sailing and admired her for her expertise in it. Best to you, Majda!

  4. Knew her from sailing days years ago. She was such a fresh, lively spirit and a good friend to all.

    Fair winds and following seas, Majda

  5. Remembering Majda as a smart, independent, kind and happy person with a strong love of nature, and a great sense of humor. She was deeply loved by her friends! Thankful that I got to know her and to build memories with her and her group of friends. Rest in heavenly Peace dear Majda 🙏

  6. Majda was one of the warmest and most loving people we have ever known in our lives. We knew Majda for the last 3-4 years of her life, and in that time we grew very close to her. Although she was not a blood relative, we can honestly say that she felt like family to us. Majda had a genuine love for us and treated us as if we were her own kin. She always invited us to spend time with her, and cared deeply about our happiness. She extended her love and gratitude to every member of our family, even our pet cat, Belka, which she adored. She was full of life and sincerely enjoyed every minute she spent with us. Something quite notable about Majda was her humor and wit, which never dulled nor failed to make everyone in the room laugh. We will reminisce on these moment for the rest of our lives. Majda left an indelible impact on us, and we will always remember her charming personality, outgoing nature, and most of all – her good-hearted spirit. We are truly grateful to have known her, and she will live on in our hearts for the rest of our lives. May she rest in eternal peace, and know that we love her just as much.

  7. I was Marija’s neighbor, CPA, and most importantly her friend for many years. She always had a smile on her face and told the best stories about her younger days. She had the best memory and could vividly recount past events from years ago as if it were yesterday!

    Her love for animals always warmed me up. She would risk her life to go to the grocery stores during the COVID days to keep her birdfeeder full of food. We shared delicious meals together and good wine too. Marija- I look forward to seeing you again some day. I miss you and love you dearly. Thank you for being a second grandmother to me.


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